APCO s Vision for NG9-1-1 Jay English, Chief Technology Officer Jeff Cohen, Chief Counsel & Director of Government Relations
NG9-1-1 What IS it? Topics Technical Basics What does it NEED to do? Issues that need to be on the radar Interoperability Multi-Media from Public to PSAP to Responder The Cloud Sensible decisions for your PSAP
So just what is NG9-1-1? Public Safety Communications is undergoing tremendous change. The transition from circuit switched technology to IP networks and Next Generation 9-1-1 has begun, leaving PSAP s and Telecommunicators to wonder, What is NG9-1-1 and what does it mean to me? Broadband technologies already exist, and the public has more capability than the average PSAP. This must change. Next Generation systems are envisioned as being a network of networks providing connectivity between PSAPs via secure, interoperable networks within a specified geographic area to other networks both regionally and nationally. Interconnected vs. Interoperable Why it matters
IP-Based: components/personnel can be located anywhere Many new communications inputs Multi-Media is key factor Interoperability is a must It must be possible for disparate systems, PSAPs and authorized agencies to interoperate
Simplified view of NG9-1-1 environment
ESInets In addition the ability to reroute calls to, and share data with, any PSAP served by the ESInet is a benefit of the transition. But only if they are built, implemented, and operated correctly. In spite of the measurable benefit to making the transition, many PSAPs are finding that they are limited by equipment and networks incapable of providing a realistic evolution to NG9-1-1. Lack of Interoperability is hampering progress We cannot build another version of legacy, proprietary, noninteroperable systems and call it NG9-1-1.
The Cloud So..is this cloud computing? I m glad you asked! Cloud computing as a concept has been around since the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) in the 1960 s. The vision was to connect data, and people, anywhere, anytime. But the NAME didn t come about until much later, as technology and the way we use it changed.
The Cloud Original concept for NG9-1-1 conceived 13 years ago, and since that time.. Amazon Web Services March 14, 2006 (Amazon launched its Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) as a commercial web service that allowed small companies and individuals to rent computers on which to run their own computer applications. Amazon EC2/S3 is considered by many to be the first widely accessible cloud computing infrastructure service) Twitter July 15, 2006 iphone June 29, 2007 In early 2008, NASA's OpenNebula became the first open-source software for deploying private and hybrid clouds, and for the federation of clouds. In 2009 Google and others started to offer browser-based enterprise applications, though services such as Google Apps. In February 2010, Microsoft released Microsoft Azure On March 1, 2011, IBM announced the IBM SmartCloud framework, and in 2014 IBM launched BlueMix now known as IBM Cloud which includes components of IBM Watson AI and machine learning.
The Cloud SaaS (software as a service) IaaS (infrastructure as a service) PaaS (platform as a service) Private cloud Hybrid cloud Advantages of cloud computing Reduce the time to market of applications that need to scale dynamically. Developers are drawn to the cloud by the abundance of advanced new services that can be incorporated into applications, from machine learning to internet-of-things connectivity. Interoperability Cloud computing security Yes, it is a concern, as it anything networked or connected Major public clouds have proven themselves much less susceptible to attack than the average enterprise data center. MUST included integration of security policy and ICAM between customers and cloud providers. Secure connectivity (VPN tunneling, etc., is required)
Time to Change our Thinking The bottom line is, NG9-1-1 has not kept up with the times, but it s not too late. In fact, there s never been a better time to adapt to changing times, and embrace available technologies. Carriers, service providers, and the business community are doing so, as are many government agencies, and PSAPs can too. Secure, connected, interoperable.that s why APCO chose it too. That s the way we ve always done it is NEVER the right answer.don t let it be your answer to NG9-1-1 options.
NG9-1-1 Transition Evolution not Revolution
Achieving Seamless Interoperability
Build Upon Existing Solutions Telecom networks and other industry sectors have already converted to digital, IP, broadband technology What do existing solutions have in common? Substantial range of companies innovating at a rapid pace Seamless interoperability and data sharing without the need for specialized interfaces or after-the-fact integrations Multiple features and options available World-wide economies of scale NG9-1-1 needs the same
A Shared Vision Seamless interoperability as a requirement Rethink RFPs, network architectures, and the expectations of vendors Use an objectives-based approach that empowers innovators to solve problems Ask questions: https://www.apcointl.org/achieving-fully-interoperable-ng911 will our PSAP will be able to transfer voice and multimedia data (text, pictures, video) to any other PSAP that has a different provider s equipment or service or is on a different network, including across jurisdictional boundaries? Invite non-traditional, modern approaches to meet connectivity, equipment, and service requirements
A Shared Vision Recognition and Respect for PSTs PSTs perform protective, life-saving work every day This role will only expand with the deployment of NG9-1-1 Having a comprehensive view of the resources needed Cybersecurity Training Workforce
What s Needed: Federal Legislation A one-time injection of federal funding to upgrade legacy networks and equipment to IP-based, broadband-enabled, NG9-1-1 systems nationwide Condition funding to achieve several objectives such as: Establishing and sustaining seamless interoperability Leveraging widely deployed commercial standards Putting sustainable funding mechanisms in place Preventing 9-1-1 fee diversion Requiring use of open and competitive procurement
Thank You! APCO website: www.apcointl.org Twitter: @GRO_APCO gro@apcointl.org